Session Zero

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Nov 21, 2023 9:24 pm
Okay fixed that so others can see it.
Nov 21, 2023 9:27 pm
Burbage says:
spaceseeker19 says:
On another note, I'm excited to play a game where the DM rolls damage for everybody. It's been long enough since I played a B/X game - since I was a kid, really - that I don't remember if we ever played it RAW that way.
Huh! Until you said that, and I checked, I never knew that was the RAW! Every day is a school day. We certainly never played it that way back in the day. Unless anyone objects, I'm more than happy to let you roll your own damage.
No objection here. I think it would be cool to try in a game sometime, but it's faster (especially in PbP) to have the attack and damage rolls in the same post. So it's probably something better left for in-person play. Sorry for the digression, I guess?
Nov 21, 2023 9:28 pm
GeneCortess says:
Okay fixed that so others can see it.
Just to be sure you know, by RAW you can drop your Int and Wis to 10 and 9 respectively and raise your Str to 16 for that extra attack/damage bonus...
Nov 21, 2023 10:25 pm
Very cool--I'm excited.

And since we're sharing: Druin Longbeard
Nov 21, 2023 10:34 pm
You also could have a 16 Str!

*Oh and thanks for reminding me about the strength mod to packed items (saw it on your sheet)

;)
Last edited November 21, 2023 10:36 pm
Nov 21, 2023 11:52 pm
Wow. Yes. GM that would be nice. I had forgotten about trading on stats. Did that. Swan just got a bit huskier.

I Just tried to figure out encumbrance. And it looks like Swan has 19 slot units. I marked () after each item to tell the encumbrance slots needed. And move rate 30' is 12 max (10 base +2 STR).

Plate mail (2) 60 gp
Shield (1) 10 gp
Tinder Box (1) 3 gp
Sword (1) 10 gp
Warhammer (1) 5 gp
50' Rope (1) 1 gp
Large Sack (1) 2 gp
Waterskin (1) 1 gp
Hand axe (1) 4 gp
Backpack (1) 5 gp
Lantern (1) 10 gp
4 Flask of Oil (4) 20 gp
7 Iron Rations (3) 15 gp
14 gp

Total (19) & 146 gp spent

Did I figure this right and have to drop at 7 slot items to even move?
Last edited November 22, 2023 12:33 am
Nov 22, 2023 12:35 am
Looks like your movement is 60' (20') based on your equipped items VS your packed items. Your equipped items are your armor and weapons (anything at the ready you don't want to have to spend a round digging out of your pack in combat). Because of your strength you can have 12 packed items before you're movement is affected.
Nov 22, 2023 1:00 am
Thanx,

Think I have it all figured out. Seems to me still a lot of calculations. I reconfigured the equipment area a bit to make it clear.

Plate mail (2) 60 gp
Shield (1) 10 gp
Sword (1) 10 gp
Hand axe (1) 4 gp

Backpack (1) 5 gp (Packed)
Lantern (1) 10 gp (Packed)
4 Flask of Oil (4) 20 gp (Packed)
7 Iron Rations (3) 15 gp (Packed)
Large Sack (1) 2 gp (Packed)
Waterskin (1) 1 gp (Packed)
Tinder Box (1) 3 gp (Packed)
50' Rope (1) 1 gp (Packed)

19 gp (0) (Packed)

13 Packed & 5 Ready. But with STR that is 11 packed and 5 ready.

With accords to the table below. That is 90' Move

120’ (40’): 0–3 equipped items; 0–10 packed items
90’ (30’): 4–5 equipped items; 11–12 packed items
60’ (20’): 6–7 equipped items; 13–14 packed items
30’ (10’): 8–9 equipped items; 15–16 packed items
Last edited November 22, 2023 1:37 am
Nov 22, 2023 7:58 am
GeneCortess says:
Thanx,

Think I have it all figured out. Seems to me still a lot of calculations. I reconfigured the equipment area a bit to make it clear.
I think in modifying the character sheet, you've inadvertently made it MORE difficult for yourself and INTRODUCED the need for calculations. If you treat each cell as an item "slot" and fill from top to bottom (or, for Packed Items, from the cell corresponding to your strength), then you can simply read your movement rate from the central Movement Rate column.

In this way, whilst adventuring, it become very clear whether the addition or removal of an item affects your movement rate. It's up to you, but I'd suggest reverting, or starting again with a clean sheet.
Nov 22, 2023 4:21 pm
A few other things whilst we finalise the characters …

1. What are your characters’ individual motivations for adventuring in Stonehell? If it’s just to get rich, that’s absolutely fine. But if something else drives your character, let me know. Either here, or send me a message if they have some terrible dark secret. A sentence will suffice, there is no need for lengthy backstories. I’ll then try and weave these motivations into the campaign.

2. Every good adventuring party needs a name. How else are the bards going to recount your heroic deeds? What’s the name of your party?

3. This one is entirely optional! The original B/X character sheet has a section for a "Character Sketch or Symbol". In the days before there were a gazillion high-quality images available for download at the press of a button, this little box was home to some charmingly amateurish character artwork. Anyone who is willing to embrace this aspect of nostalgia, and replace their character’s in-game avatar with a sketch drawn by their own fair hand, will be awarded 100 XP.
Nov 22, 2023 4:37 pm
"Believe it or not my grandfather died down in those dark cells, probably won't recognize his bones from the rest of 'em but if I can find them I'll bring him back for a proper burial. He only had one hand, shouldn't be too hard to spot..."

Team name suggestion: The Sarcophaguys

I'll have to work on a sketch tonight...
Nov 22, 2023 6:14 pm
Burbage says:

1. What are your characters’ individual motivations for adventuring in Stonehell? If it’s just to get rich, that’s absolutely fine. But if something else drives your character, let me know. Either here, or send me a message if they have some terrible dark secret. A sentence will suffice, there is no need for lengthy backstories. I’ll then try and weave these motivations into the campaign.
I'm tempted to use the old "Central Casting" book to come up with an elaborate backstory. The reason I haven't done already is that I expect most of these PCs to die pretty quickly. But, with your encouragement, I'll do it. I'll edit this post (and my character sheet) in a bit.
Burbage says:

2. Every good adventuring party needs a name. How else are the bards going to recount your heroic deeds? What’s the name of your party?
I like the pun of Sarcophaguys, but I also like the connection with Stonehell of calling us "The Hellions."

With regards to a character sketch, I've already done it.
Nov 22, 2023 8:58 pm
Quote:
1. What are your characters’ individual motivations for adventuring in Stonehell? If it’s just to get rich, that’s absolutely fine. But if something else drives your character, let me know. Either here, or send me a message if they have some terrible dark secret. A sentence will suffice, there is no need for lengthy backstories. I’ll then try and weave these motivations into the campaign.
Druin's motivation is essentially to get rich, but it's a little more nuanced. With his father having made some bad drunken bets, he's in danger of losing his health and the family mine to the moneylenders who financed them. So, Druin's trying to strike it rich enough that he can pay off his debtors--see his character sketch on his sheet for more details.
Quote:
Team name suggestion: The Sarcophaguys
I kind of like Sarcophaguys--especially since a sarcophagus is a stone coffin, which is what we're Stonehell is likely to be for us. (My alternate is Swan and her Ugly Ducklings).
Nov 22, 2023 9:14 pm
$$$ always brings nice things.

LOL. Love that 'Swan and her Ugly Ducklings'. So cute. I favor just something simple. 'Corners'. 'Chips' is also nice
Last edited November 22, 2023 10:54 pm
Nov 23, 2023 3:03 pm
As a final thing before we start, I’d like to give everyone the opportunity to share any specific expectations for the game, particularly in terms of game etiquette and communication. From my side:

1. Players will be expected to keep their character sheets up to date. Please be diligent in crossing off expended items. Equally, don’t forget to add any items or treasure collected (a single item slot can hold up to 100 coins or gems of any denomination). If it’s not on your character sheet, you’re not carrying it.

2. If you know that you're not going to be able to post for a period of time, please let me know. In this way, the game can continue smoothly in your absence. Similarly, please let me know if you’ve decided to leave the game. Don't just disappear; the uncertainty this creates can be very disruptive.

3. If, for whatever reason, you’re unhappy with any aspect of the game - please let me know. The whole point of this is to have fun and I’ll do my best to accommodate any reasonable request.
Nov 23, 2023 4:11 pm
100% with you on sheet tracking and communication! I tend to be a fast, frequent poster so it really bums me out when players (or DMs) suddenly ghost for days at a time. It's currently happening in at least half the games I'm in unfortunately and has been that way since I discovered PbP. Nothing kills a game faster.
Nov 23, 2023 5:39 pm
Burbage says:
A few other things whilst we finalise the characters …

1. What are your characters’ individual motivations for adventuring in Stonehell? If it’s just to get rich, that’s absolutely fine. But if something else drives your character, let me know. Either here, or send me a message if they have some terrible dark secret. A sentence will suffice, there is no need for lengthy backstories. I’ll then try and weave these motivations into the campaign.


2. Every good adventuring party needs a name. How else are the bards going to recount your heroic deeds? What’s the name of your party?

3. This one is entirely optional! The original B/X character sheet has a section for a "Character Sketch or Symbol". In the days before there were a gazillion high-quality images available for download at the press of a button, this little box was home to some charmingly amateurish character artwork. Anyone who is willing to embrace this aspect of nostalgia, and replace their character’s in-game avatar with a sketch drawn by their own fair hand, will be awarded 100 XP.
1. Tess is a street rat who is tired of scraping by on whatever she can pilfer from the common folk. She wants a big score so she can get off the streets and live like proper lady (which she’s not).

2. Any name is fine with me.

3. I went back 41 years (YIKES) and channeled my inner 13 year old. Luckily for me my artistic abilities haven’t improved 😂. I just had to add a kewl scar and heavy metal lettering.
Nov 23, 2023 6:22 pm
Quote:
As a final thing before we start, I’d like to give everyone the opportunity to share any specific expectations for the game, particularly in terms of game etiquette and communication. From my side:
These all sound good to me!
Nov 23, 2023 6:31 pm
Ishmann says:
3. I went back 41 years (YIKES) and channeled my inner 13 year old. Luckily for me my artistic abilities haven’t improved 😂. I just had to add a kewl scar and heavy metal lettering.
Excellent! Exactly what I was hoping for. Give Tess 100 XP! Gabbro's also looking good (100 XP). I considered withholding Ricard's because the sketch is too good, but that seems a bit churlish - give them 100 XP as well.
Nov 23, 2023 7:13 pm
So far, for adventuring party names, we have the following suggestions:

1. The Sarcophaguys
2. The Hellions
3. Swan and Her Ugly Ducklings
4. Corners
5. Chips

Did I miss any?
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